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Thursday, July 5, 2007

Treadle Queen of sewing crowned
Don’t be surprised if you’ve never heard of a treadle sewing machine race, according to reliable sources the only one in existence may be right here on the Kenai Peninsula. Treadle racing was the innovation of Jess Tubbs of J&H Sewing & Vacuum in Soldotna nine years ago who says he could be the world’s fastest treadle racer of record and for that reason he doesn’t compete in the local annual event, “A treadle sewing machine was my toy growing up and I really don’t have any competition, but my goal was to sponsor a unique event as part of the Quilting on the Kenai show that would be fun and create an interest and understanding of the treadle machine,” explained Tubbs. Tubbs supplies the machines for contestants, one of which is believed to be the only commercial grade treadle machine outside of a museum. Tubbs also donates the prize for the winner which was a brand new Pfaff sewing machine.

Outdoors
A few days ago I stepped out of my room at the camp on Doyon Rig 141 and walked across the hall into the bathroom. As I walked through the door I turned briefly towards the mirror that is mounted on the wall above the sink to my right. About the time my eyes began to focus on the half asleep object that was being displayed on the mirror in the brightly lighted room I noticed a few shiny gray hairs shining proudly above my left ear!

Local artists shine at Art to Wear fashion show
The Annual Quilting on the Kenai show drew quilters and visitors from all over Alaska, but in the end the talent of local quilters once again proved to be too good to beat. “I think there are more talented quilters per capita on the Kenai Peninsula probably than anywhere in the country if not the whole world, many of which have received international acclaim,” said Jess Tubbs, of J&H Sewing & Vacuum. Tubbs is an industrial sewing machine specialist with a lifetime of experience in the industry. Pat Reese of Robin Place Fabrics in Soldotna has also been aware of the local talent for a long time and that was why she created the first Quilting on the Kenai show and competition 13 years ago. “It was a wonderful show this year we added some new events that proved very popular. We had a presentation of antique quilts and appraisals this year; we had a quilt doll designer teach for the first time, and a variety of demonstrations going on everyday. Overall comments on the show have been extremely positive and encouraging,” commented Reese.

Community flag walk crosses new Soldotna bridge
The third bridge to be built across the Kenai River in Soldotna is now opened to four lanes of traffic. Department of Transportation officials announced the opening for 5:00 am Sunday June 24th, at the Tuesday Soldotna Chamber of Commerce noon luncheon. It wasn’t to be an official opening because placards and other items had yet to be completed, but traffic would no longer be routed to the temporary bridge. Within 5 minutes Soldotna Mayor David Carey announced a secret community crossing to be held at 6:00pm Sunday, “We’re inviting everyone to come to this secret community celebration and flag walk in honor of the opening of the David Douthit Veteran’s Memorial Bridge, an official opening may come later, but this will be the first walk across our new bridge,” Carey told Chamber members.

Please don't trash peninsula
As we begin to enter the summer recreational season, we come to grips with a growing problem  that of the trash, waste and overuse left behind by vacationers, recreationers and mostly, unfortunately, by us Alaskans and some ill-mannered tourists.

Reader: Let's not punish someone for an accident
Do we bankrupt somebody due to an accident  the key word here being accident? I don't really think so, but I'm sure there are exceptions or people who feel otherwise. If the fire in the Caribou Hills was truly an accident and not pure negligence, then let's treat it as such. Do the responsible parties have the resources to make everyone whole again? I doubt it. Very few people in this country do.

Wildlife guide highlights peninsula
A breeze tickles alder and willow thickets along the shore, raises goose pimples on the surface of the lake and nibbles your cheek. Fog cloaks dall sheep and goats foraging on the mountain tops and veils stands of white spruce. Somewhere on the other side of the lake the wail of a common loon shatters the silence while the white neck of a trumpeter swan glides by.

Photo feature: Get set
Chad Finley, up from Michigan to work as a member of Clam Gulch commercial fisherman Will Faulkner's setnet crew, ties a buoy to a line Saturday morning during low tide.

Leslie I. 'Les' Crane
Longtime Homer resident Leslie I. "Les" Crane died Monday, June 25, 2007, at South Peninsula Hospital Long Term Care in Homer in his sleep with his son and daughter-in-law, Ralph and Sandy Crane, at his bedside. He was 90.

William A. Lesher
Longtime Alaskan and Anchor Point resident William A. Lesher died Sunday, July 1, 2007, at Kachemak Assisted Living in Homer. He was 84.

Around the Peninsula
Public health plans closure
Steak dinner fundraiser set
Unity Run set to start
Walk for Hope fundraiser planned
Swim lessons make a splash
Watershed plans events

Living free for a 'Die-Hard': At 52, Willis still ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time
For a sequel-packed summer, it shouldn't be surprising to find an entry in the high-action genre, but the last time Bruce Willis signed on to become the John-McClane-Punching-Bag was 1995  12 years ago. So what could bring the "Die-Hard" series out of retirement? I don't know, probably the same thing that brought "Rocky" out, and what is currently motivating work on a new "Rambo."

Oilers' skid reaches 9 games
Carl Uhl hit a grand slam and Michael Ewing added a two-run homer in leading the Mat-Su Miners to a 9-2 win over the Peninsula Oilers on Wednesday night at Hermon Brothers Field in Palmer.

Twins need help to win tourney
With a pair of victories on Monday and Tuesday, the American Legion Twins single-handedly eliminated Belmar, N.J. from title contention in the Bill Miller Big Fish Tournament.

Birch Ridge Golf Report
Independence Day reminds me once again of how fortunate we are to live in a country with so many freedoms. We should all pause from our busy schedules, say a prayer for our troops and thank those who sacrifice every day so that we can all enjoy our very special freedoms. Not the least of which is the freedom to play golf at a wonderful course like Birch Ridge. So in keeping with the spirit of the holiday, I'd like to pay tribute not only to the wonderful men and women who serve our country every day, but to our own local golfing stars.

Kohler leads Twins to tourney victory
With four hitless innings already under his belt, American Legion Twins hurler Larsen Kohler knew a visit from manager John Butler was imminent after allowing three walks and one run while committing a balk to open the fifth.

Kenai Golf Report
Hello, Golfers. Happy Fourth of July to all of us very blessed Americans. How great is it and how lucky are we to live in the most wonderful country in the world? We take all of our advantages and freedoms for granted, but let's not forget the service men and women who ensure our continued safety and the enjoyment of those advantages and freedoms and all of those who have gone before.